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Trapital

Latest episodes

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Apr 24, 2025 • 37min

How to Win on YouTube

Join George Karalexis and Donna Budica, co-founders of Ten2 Media, as they dive into the art of thriving on YouTube. They discuss the importance of diversifying content formats and strategies to boost artist revenue. The duo emphasizes the necessity of audience engagement and long-term planning to maximize visibility. They also explore the comparison between YouTube and Spotify, revealing how YouTube's potential for monetization can outshine traditional streaming platforms, transforming musicians' careers in the digital era.
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Apr 19, 2025 • 39min

Coachella’s Layaway Plan, Tubi’s Long Game , Lucian Grainge’s Legacy

It’s time for a Trapital Mailbag! We dive into hot topics like the Coachella’s payment plan debate, Tubi’s strategy under Fox, Meta vs the FTC, Lucian Grainge’s tenure at UMG, and a special section on how we use AI tools at Trapital!00:55 Coachella Payment Plans07:07 Tubi's Long-Term Strategy15:42 Lucian Grange's Impact on UMG26:14 Meta and the FTC: A Legal Battle29:47 AI Tools for TrapitalTrapital Summit tickets here: early bird tickets until April 30!Want to be featured in the next partner spotlight? podcast@trapital.comSummit partnership opportunities: summit@trapital.co
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Apr 14, 2025 • 19min

How TikTok Got Caught in the Trade War

Our episode today is a two-parter. I start at the top with my take on TikTok. We then transition to our partner spotlight!Part 1: The April 4 deadline has passed, and there’s still no deal on TikTok. The app got caught in the middle of the U.S. - China trade war and the ongoing tariffs. How will this all play out?Part 2: I’m joined by beatBread’s CEO Peter Sinclair as we discuss the company’s Deal Comparison Tool and how it helps both artists and labels make the best possible decisions.00:10 TikTok’s Role in the Trade War06:15 Potential Outcomes for TikTok10:11 beatBread’s Peter Sinclair joins us011:06 Independent Labels and Financial DistressThe beatBread Deal Comparison Tool This tool provides a side-by-side analysis of different deals, focusing on key financial aspects such as upfront cash, long-term costs, and cash flow projections over time.Trapital Summit tickets here: early bird tickets until April 30!want to be featured in the next partner spotlight? podcast@trapital.comsummit partnership opportunities: summit@trapital.co
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Apr 10, 2025 • 36min

Inside Spotify’s $10B Payout to the Music Industry

Sam Duboff, Spotify's Head of Marketing & Policy for Music, dives into the complexities of music payouts revealed in the Loud and Clear report. He discusses Spotify's impressive $10 billion contribution to the industry, emphasizing the financial benefits for independent artists who now earn over 50% of total payouts. The conversation also covers the evolving role of major and emerging artists in the streaming era, the challenges of artist contracts, and the importance of transparency in shaping a fairer music ecosystem.
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Apr 7, 2025 • 33min

Streaming Growth Slowed Down. What’s Next?

Mark Mulligan, CEO and founder of MIDiA Research, unpacks the complexities of the 2024 music streaming landscape. He discusses how growth trends vary between major labels and indie artists, especially in emerging markets. The conversation reveals how expanding rights could empower artists and enhance their control. Mulligan also highlights the changing dynamics of independent music, the impact of the pandemic on creativity, and the evolving music publishing scene, especially concerning royalties for indie labels.
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Apr 3, 2025 • 30min

Apple Music Turns 10: Is It a Success?

Join Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research, a music industry analyst, as she dives into the decade of Apple Music. They explore whether Apple Music is truly shaping the streaming landscape or merely playing catch-up. Discover the platform's strategic evolution, the challenges it faces compared to Spotify, and how its curated content influences music discovery. Tati also discusses the intriguing financial dynamics with AirPods and how these elements intertwine within Apple's broader ecosystem.
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Mar 31, 2025 • 35min

Reddit: How To Monetize a Marketer’s Goldmine

The most influential conversations about your industry might be from an anonymous commenters who is validated by hundreds of upvotes on popular subreddit thread.Join me and Dr. Marcus Collins, the award-winning marketer, author, and friend of the pod, as we discuss the significant cultural influence of Reddit, its evolution as a community of subcultures, and how the business has evolved.02:08 Reddit as a Market Research Tool04:54 The Power of Community and Moderation15:29 Will Monetization Match its Cultural Influence?19:41 If We Ran RedditThis episode is presented by State Farm, the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week.
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Mar 25, 2025 • 31min

Do True Moguls Still Exist?

In this engaging discussion, Web Barr, Founder and CEO of High Bar Media and host of Media Moguls, tackles the current state of true moguls in entertainment. He delves into the legendary rise of Ted Turner and the evolution of power players from traditional moguls to modern independent creators. Web highlights the dramatic shifts in media consumption, the influence of tech giants like Elon Musk, and the duality of industry practices today. He also speculates on the future landscape of media leadership and the challenges faced by creators.
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Mar 17, 2025 • 38min

WhatsApp is a Cultural Force. Will it Make More Money?

What if the most important social network in the world isn’t a social network at all?In this episode, we explore how WhatsApp—often overlooked in the U.S.—has become a lifeline for families, businesses, artists, and economies worldwide.Join me and Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research as we break down whether WhatsApp is the closest thing to a true “everything app,” how it differs from iMessage and texting, and why Meta has struggled to monetize it despite its massive reach.04:33 WhatsApp's Global Growth Strategy17:07 WhatsApp's Advertising and Privacy Dilemma21:34 WhatsApp's role in Meta l24:22 Instagram DMs vs WhatsApp29:38 WhatsApp's US Growth ProspectsThis episode is presented by State Farm, the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week.If you enjoy Trapital, please rate and review on your favorite podcast platform!
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Mar 11, 2025 • 44min

Can New Superstars Ever Surpass Current Superstars (Revisited!)

It’s the perfect time to revisit one of our more popular episodes. Taylor Swift and Beyoncé are still at the top of the music industry despite the newer artists that do well on streaming and TikTok. That said, can today’s new class of stars ever match that same level of superstardom? .In this episode, I’m joined by Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research to explore how artists like Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, and Bad Bunny are navigating the ever-changing music landscape. What does it take to break through the noise, and is music stardom evolving into something completely different?Let’s get into it02:00 Streaming's Impact on Music Industry07:06 The impact of streaming and TikTok11:09 Olivia Rodrigo's Streaming vs Sales15:03 Dua Lipa, Doja Cat, SZA23:23 Morgan Wallen, Bad Bunny30:28 "Music Industry Aspirations and Realities"33:39 Emerging Artists: Success Through Unique RootsTrapital Summit tickets are on sale! Super early bird discount until April 30. Register here.This episode is presented by State Farm, the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.Make sure you check out TechCrunch’s flagship podcast, Equity.Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week.If you enjoy Trapital, please rate and review on your favorite podcast platform!

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